Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

French Post Office in Aleppo 1846 (April 28): Entire letter from Aleppo via Beirut to Grandcamp nearby Bernay, Dept Eure, forwarded to Paris, manuscript "Alep, 28 avril 1846" on obverse (Pothion = 36 points), "BEYROUTH SYRIE 6 MAI 46" cds alongside. The cover slitted and purified, "PURIFIE LAZARETH / MARSEILLE" handstamp on reverse as well as BROGLIE and "BERNAY-DE-L'EURE" transit and PARIS arrival  (May 25) cds's. A unique cover from Aleppo with a most interesting text, a major item for an advanced Syria collection.

Note: This is the only cover known transported by the French post office in Aleppo before 1855, when the "POSTE FRANÇAISE / D’ALEP“ handstamp was introduced. 
Reference: Displayed in Pothion - Marques Postales et Oblitérations Bureaux Français à l'Etranger 1561-1948 on page 9.
Provenance: Roumet sale 455 (Feb 1999), lot 2587.